The idea of Xeriscape is to create a beautiful, functional landscape that uses less water than traditional landscapes. Rather than a specific “look” or a limited group of plants, Xeriscape is a combination of seven basic landscaping principles. A Xeriscape in Arizona will likely look very different from a Xeriscape in Florida.

The actual benefits of Xeriscaping your yard will vary depending on the location, climate, soil, etc. and will depend heavily on the landscape replaced by the Xeriscape. A list of potential Xeriscape benefits includes:

Reduced water use

Reduced fertilizer use

Reduced pesticide use

Lower maintenance costs

Reduced maintenance effort

Reduced runoff

Topsoil preservation

Improved drought tolerance

A unique and beautiful landscape

Costs of Xeriscape

Creating a Xeriscape does cost money, but so does creating a standard landscape. As with any landscaping project, the cost of installing a Xeriscape depends on a number of factors including the size of the landscape, plants, labor, required soil preparation, irrigation system installation or modifications, etc.

When weighing the installation of Xeriscape you must consider the long term benefits and costs side by side with those of traditional landscaping. Xeriscape can be more expensive to install on a square foot basis, but these costs can be recouped over time through reduced water use and maintenance costs.